SNP scores double by-election win

The Scottish National Party last night won two Clackmannanshire Council by-elections.

The SNP's Janis Paterson recaptured the Menstrie seat which had been lost in last year's main polls. This comes after the party won at Moray last week,
its first gain in more then two years and comes as Scotland's main opposition party is set to elect a new leader and deputy leader.

The SNP standard-bearer in Tillycoultry West was local activist Helen McGregor. This by-election followed the resignation of SNP councillor
Charles Forbes.

SNP leader John Swinney MSP said:

" I am delighted by these results and they are another welcome boost to our local government representation.

" Last week we were celebrating our first local government gain in more then two years and our return to the administration of Perth & Kinross Council. Today we are celebrating these further two wins.

" These victories are a tremendous result for the SNP in Ochil & South Perthshire and is a fantastic boost for Annabelle Ewing as she launches her
bid to win this new Westminster seat at the next general election."

Notes

1) The results were as follows:

Menstrie - SNP, 403 (56.5%); Lab, 135 (18.9%); Con, 108 (15.1%); SSP, 37 (5.2%); Lib 31 (4.2%).

Tillycoultry West - SNP, 262 (36.6%); Lab, 176 (24.6%); Ind, 128 (17.9%); Lib 86 (12.0%); Con, 59 (8.2%).

2) The political balance of the 18-member Clackmannashire Council is now Lab 10, SNP 7, Con 1.